Revealed: 250,000 sanctioned on Universal Credit

A welfare advice charity has called for an urgent investigation into the sanctions system after it was revealed 250,000 people have had benefits halted under Universal Credit (UC).

Figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) today, 13 August, also show that 5% of UC sanctions have been for more than six months.

Universal Credit is a new benefit replacing six legacy benefits, rolling them into one monthly payment.

In total over 236,000 people have been sanctioned under the new scheme since May 2016 up to April 2019.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has called for an investigation into the sanctions system, and a moratorium on sanctions during that period.

Mhoraig Green, CAS social justice spokeswoman, said: “The Citizens Advice Citizens Advice Scotland Social Justice network in Scotland helps hundreds of thousands of people every year and we have long raised concerns about cases where people have had their benefits unfairly sanctioned, leaving them without any income for a sustained period, causing them to require crisis support including food bank referrals.

“Today’s statistics show a worrying trend of an increase in the proportion of people facing a sanction since the introduction of Universal Credit.

“People should never be left with no income at all as a result of a benefits sanction, there should be an urgent independent investigation into the sanctions regime, with a moratorium on sanctions during that period.”

The DWP says that sanctions are a necessary part of the benefits system, with over 70% of claimants "more likely to follow the rules" if they know they risk having their benefits stopped.

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.